Robert King of Scots II (1316-1390) - Find a Grave Memorial

Scottish Monarch. Robert II was the son of Walter, Steward of Scotland and Marjory Bruce, daughter of Robert the Bruce. Born the only child, his mother died from childbirth. He became the first monarch of the House of Stewart. He served as Regent for David II twice: while David was in exile in France and again while imprisoned in England. Robert succeeded David in 1371, and was crowned at Scone on March 26th. His first marriage to Elizabeth Mure produced ten children living to adulthood, which were declared illegitimate, as the couple were too closely related. With this marriage being uncanonical, he remarried her in 1349 after receiving a papal dispensation in 1347. Upon the death of his first wife, he married Euphemia Ross, who would become his queen, in 1355. They had four children. The question of the legitimacy of his first marriage would later play a big part in the succession. Robert is thought to have had 26 or more children in total, including at least 12 illegitimate children by various mistresses. It was said about Robert that "A more tender heart no man could have." Most of his 19-year reign was troubled by wars, which he was not able to serve. He had little effect on Scottish political and military affairs. He allowed his son Robert, Earl of Carrick, who later was Robert III, to act in his place most of the time. Walter, a son from his second marriage, instigated the 1437 murder of James I, King of the Scots, Robert's grandson through his first marriage to Elizabeth Mure. Old and infirm, he died at Dundonald Castle at the age of 74.

Bio by: Kristen Conrad